Wheel cover



G. A. LYON WHEEL COVER Aug. 2, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April l5, 1957 fr? z/ E' 27 fr @Eo/Q65 #L 55er Vo/v Aug 2, 1960 G. A. LYON 2,947,575

WHEEL COVER Filed April l5, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Unite States Patent() WHEEL COVER George Albert Lyon, 13881 W. Chicago Blvd., Detroit 28, Mich.

Filed Apr. 15, 1957, Ser. No. '653,031

5 Claims. (Cl. 301-37) The present invention relates to improvements in wheel structures and more particularly concerns the ornamental and protective covering of the outer sides of vehicle wheels.

This application is a continuation-impart of my copending application Serial No. 641,926, tiled February 25, 1957, now abandoned.

Although it is desirable to provide covers having retaining fingers that engage with the terminal flange of the tire rim, both from the standpoint of fully covering the outer side of the wheel and also for economy reasons since less material is required to provide the cover with retaining means than with other self-retaining Inger expedients, a considerable problem is encountered in that room must be left for wheel balancing weights on the terminal flange. That is, balancing of the vehicle wheels is generally desirable, even though it is often neglected by the driving public, and the most convenient mode of effecting such balancing is to apply lead weights retained by clips in engagement with the terminal flange of the tire rim. At the outer side of the wheel the weights are applied for dynamic balancing.

Theft of wheel covers, and especially from the more expensive models of automobiles, has become a substantial problem.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide an improved wheel structure wherein cover retaining means are provided at the terminal flange of the tire rim leaving ample room to `accommodate Wheel balancing weights.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel cover retaining means for the terminal flanges of automobile wheels affording a new method of balancing the wheels by the relationship of wheel balancing weights thereto.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide novel means on a tire rim for receiving in engagement therewith cover retaining means on a wheel cover.

A further object of the invention is to provide peri manently welded-on cover retaining means on a tire rim `for receiving self-retaining structure on wheel covers.

It is another object of the invention to provide in a wheel structure means enabling the provision of cover retaining means which will be selective and substantially at variance with respect to other cover retaining means that may be used on other wheels so as to minimize theft by precluding interchangeability of the covers.

'Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is an outer side elevational viewof a wheel structure embodying features of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary radial sectional -detail view taken substantially on the line II-l'l of Figure 1;

g 2,947,575 Patented Aug. 2, 1960 ing a further modification;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the retaining structure on the rim of Figure 5;

`Figure 7 is a radial sectional detail view similarto Figure 2 but on a larger scale and showing yet another modification;

Figure 8 is a similar sectional detail viewshowing a further modification;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary radial sectional detail view similar to Figures 7 and 8 but showing yet another modication and taken substantially on the line IX-1X of Figure 10;

'Figure l0 is a fragmentary sectional elevational detail view taken substantially on the line X-X of Figure 9 but showing the parts on a smaller scale;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary outer side elevational view of the wheel with the cover removed and showing how wheel balancing can be effected by means of a standard wheel balancing weight in association with adjacent cover retaining members carried by the terminal flange of the wheel; and

Figure 12 is an outer side elevational view of the wheel with the cover removed and showing how wheel balancing is adapted to be effected in association with or relation to one of the cover retaining members serving as part of the balancing weight structure.

Referring to Figures l, 2 and `3, `a Wheel cover 10 is `constructed and arranged to be applied to the outer side of a vehicle Wheel including a wheel body 11 supporting a multi-flange, drop center tire rim 12 which includes an intermediate generally axially outwardly extending and radailly inwardly facing flange 13 merging at its axially outer side with a generally radially outwardly extending terminal flange portion 14 terminating in a generally axially outwardly turned portion 15. A pneumatic, herein tubeless, tire 17 is adapted to be supported by the tire rim, a valve stem 18 being carried `by the rim -for iniiating the tire.

The wheel cover 10 is ladapted to be made from metal strip or sheet stock such as stainless steel or brass or the like which is adapted to be drawn and cold Worked termin-al flange 14, 15 of the tire rim. At its outer extremity, the marginal portion 22 has a turned reinforcing and finishing edge structure 23 from which extends an underturned generally return-bent annular flange 24.

Means are provided for retaining the cover 10 in presson, pry-off -relation over the outer side of the wheel and in a manner to support the marginal portion 22, 24 of the cover in such spaced relation to the terminal flange of l'the tire rimas to freely accommodate wheel balancing weightsitherebehind in substantially concealed relation. To this end, the underturned marginal cover flange 24 extends generally radially inwardly to substantially overlie the tire rim terminal ange, and more particularly the radially extending and axially outwardly facing portion 14 thereof, with generally axially inwardly directed retaining iinger extensions 25 projecting from the inner `edge of the flange 24. These fingers 25 are provided with generally radially and axially outwardly oblique short and stiff retaining linger terminals 27 joined to the body portions of the respective iingers on substantially rigid axially inwardly- .directed reinforcing.. shoulder v,ribs "28. The length of-the retaining lingers ,'.2'5 Vbetweenthe flange `24- :andthe intermediate juncture ,shouldersLZS is `su`ch as to support thezcover edgerSZ. in spacedladiaeency ,to, the tip of ,the.terminaljilangeportiongls when -the shoulders 28 bottom or seat on Qtheterminal 'flange por- QILIL vMoreoven'the retaining ngers 125 are disposed on Va ^diameter vjust suliicientlylargerdhan the intermediate Alange `13.of the ktire to assure engagement, of., the V'juncture shoulders 28 of the retaining tngersagainstllthe radially-inner,portionof the. axially outwardly facing surface of the intermediate flange portion 1,4. Thereby, retaining. engagementof the ,short .and .stiff .retaining 4linger,terminals127 against a generally radially and axially .-inwardl-yfacing shoulder or;surfacei29 of a retaining lug or bracket member 30 is provided for. In thisv instance, @there-aregfounof .themembers 30 disposed in circum- V-ferentially.equidistantly spaced relation, one of. the members being `generally aligned with the valve `stern 18.

There .are also four of .the retaining tingersZSprovided by-f material `from four corners of `a quadangularv sheet arnetal` blank.

V.Each of thedmembes V30 is of substantially greater ,len-gthin a-fcircumferential direction than-width in` radial direction and of less or narrower width than the width V0f-thexterminal angerportion 14. At each opposite end,.the member 30 lis providedwith-a ange extension llof limited thickness which bears against-the surface y of .the terminal angevportion 14 and is welded'thereto as at 32. Welding is the preferred mode of attachment `since 4 that oiers the least possibility lof puncturing or Vrupturing.theterminal ange portion 1 4vand is an exn.pedient mass production method.

' By reason of its substantial length, eachV of the cover Aretaining members 30 correspondingly hasthe retaining `iingerengageable face or shoulder 29'thereof ofsubstan- `.tial `circumferential length `and preferably curved conlcentrically with the lcircunnference of the wheel. As ywill beseen in Figure 3, the retaining tinger25is also'curved fcircumferentially of the wheel yand is thereby substantially stiiened resiliently. The sides ofithe'ingers'25 iiare into juncture with the underturnedange 524 Yand vthus are connected resiliently with theztlange from which they fare extensions. `By :having the finger-engageable .s urface29 of the retaining'memberft) at least slightly undercut, retention engagement `by the 'retaining linger terminal 27 -is enhanced. Normally the tips of the re- .'taining finger terminals 27 extend to aslightly larger y.diameter than the engaged Vsurface 29 of the retaining member 30. In the assembled relationship on the wheel, `=tl1er`resilient flexibility of the fingers 25 enables radially finward tensioned dellection thereof, with the resiliency ofthe fngers'plus the resiliency of the underturned `flange .24;and the marginal portion 22 of the cover assuring ..strong-retaining tensioned grip of the retaining nger fterrninalsV 27 -against the retaining shoulder faces 29.

In order to'hold the cover 10 against turning relative tothe wheel and thus :maintaining distortion-free regis- -tration` of the valve stem-18 throughs a valve stem aper- .zture1=3 3,=ataleastone of the -retainingngers 25'is provided :with turn-preventing 'means In the present instance :such means comprise a pair of respective circumferenlti'a-lly spaced bifurcation-like projections 3 4 spaced apart ;fagainst on any tendency of the cover to turn on the Vwheel -:as from torque orftorsionalI forces inservice. fIn applying theV cover'10 to the outer side'of the wheel,

thefvalvevstem 18T is registered through thevalve stem aperture 33. In doing so, the retaining nger which is in line with such `aperture engages at its terminal 27 with the retaining lug tace'f29. At the same time, the 4turn-preventing projections 34 enter into opposing relation to the ends of the body of the member 30, thereby also assisting in properly aligning the cover. Then the remainder of the cover is pushed generally axially inwardly toward the wheel so that the remaining retaining lingers 25 will enter into engagement with the remaining retaining members 30.

It will be observed that the axially outer portion of the member adjacent to the undercut retaining shoulder 29 isV providedfwith a generally-radially and axially` inwardly sloping lead-in surfaceS which facilitates camming in of the retaining iinger terminals 27 to snap down behind and against the retaining shoulder surface Z9, the tips of the terminals affording respective shoulders. engaging the kshoulder surface 29. :When the cover has been pushed entirely home,the shoulder junctures 2? of the -severalretaining tingers Ybottom against the terminal flange portion 14 and thus serve as stops todeiine Vthe axially inwarddisposition of thecover, and support .the .cover .in otherwise entirely spaced relation to the outer side of the wheel, as :well as Vassure resilientretaining tensioned interengagement of the retaining shoulders oty the ngers and the retaining members. Especially behind the `cover marginal portion 22 is there .Imaintained a chamber .Withinwhich vwheel balancing-weights vare adapted to `bedisposed as required. Misplacemcnt .of the retainig tngers -ZS between the lugs 30 and the rim terminal flange vlip V3.5 lis ysubstantially,precluded by ,the disposition of4 the radially outer sides of ther-lugs -353 in blocking relation to retaining reception of ngerlterminalsl Y In VVthe chamber provided between the cover. margin and the terminal flange,` a standard type large size wheel balancing weight W as shown in Fig. 11 may bezattached y lby means of a clip V'/'5 thereon gripping theV terminal ange 15. On the other hand,rwhere advisable one or apair of `smallersize -wheel balancing weights W may ibepesecured by` means of their attachment clips 75, ontorthe terminal -nal ange, they haveat least alimitedV wheelbalancing value even in the absence of anybalancing weights, as a resultof flywheellike action 'during rotation of thezwheel and especially during high .speed rotation, therebycounterbalancing minorunbalancing factors. However, where some-major unbalancing .factoris present determination of the point of dynamic imbalance between a pairofsthe retaininglugs V30 enables colunterbalancingby applying they weight 1W. betweenthezzpair 'of retaining lugstl: at. the opposite side Vof the wheel as shown in Figure 1l. It will be appreciated, of course, that although thelba'lancing Weight W is shown as centered between the adjacent retaininglugs 3), it can'be; properly placed: inadjusted position within the limits of the-entire space alforded between thelugs. Of course, the nearer the balance vpoint is to onefof `the adjacent retaininglugs '30, the smaller need be. the `weight because the weight of the retaining lug itself `serves as partof the balancing weight.

Withrespect to Figure l2, aasymmetrical:arrangement of equal-size balancing weights W has beenshown, assumngfthat,thebalancing center is substantiallyy centered On `theassociated,retaining lug 30. Where the balancing point is to either side but adjacent totlielugty a single proper sized weight W may be sufiicient. ,l'nfanyevent7 it will be apparent that substantial latitude or flexibility in wheel balancing is alford and .the retaining lug members v themselvesassist in the attainment of wheel balance and willl in a large number of instances minimize the size ofbalancing weight or weights required. p

For removing the cover it) from the outer side of the ment therewith to good advantage. t served that the cover radially inwardly from the shoulfwheel, a pry-otf tool such as a screwdriver or the like t (not shown) may be applied behind the outer edge 23 into the gap defined thereby with the edge of the terminal flange portion 15 and between adjacent ones of the retaining fingers 25. It will be observed that the shoulder 21 is disposed generally axially and radially inwardly in line with the edge 23 so that a pry-off -tool can effect engage- It will also be obder rib 21 is bowed axially outwardly so as to afford a concave relieved area inwardly adjacent tothe pry-olf rib to avoid damaging, denting engagement therewith by the f tip of the pry-off tool as it is levered to pry the cover free from the wheel. Since the retaining finger terminals 27 are short and stiff, they slide free from the engaged rej taining Surfaces 29 in response to the pry-off tool force,

and the cover can therefore be applied and removed an indefinite number of times.

Inasmuch as the retaining lugs 30 are disposed symmetrically and one of them is radially aligned with the valve stem 18, external visual orientation is afforded by the valve stem projecting through the cover, for applying a pry-off tool such as screwdriver behind the cover margin and directly into engagement on the ridge or top of one of the retaining lugs 30, such as the one that is nearest the valve stem. When pry-off is thus effected, substantial leverage can be effected immediately adjacent the nearest retaining finger 25 for quick disengagement thereof in responseto the pry-ofi force. Thus, the retaining lugs 30 may serve as convenint pry-off shoulders.

yIn Figure 4 is shown a modification wherein details of the wheel itself are identical with details of the wheel in Figure 2 and therefore the same reference numerals have been applied. However in this form a cover t which is substantially the same as the cover 10, and therefore the corresponding parts are identified by similar but primed reference numerals, is retained by means of a somewhat different retaining member 37 welded to the tire rim. To this end, the member 37 has a flange portion 38 which is welded as at 39 to the inner face of the intermediate flange 13 and has a portion 40 that nests upon the juncture between the intermediate flange and the terminal flange portion 14. The portion 40 extends rat dially outwardly along the radially inner portion of the terminal flange section 14 and provides a seat for the juncture shoulder 28' of the retaining nger of the cover. An axially outwardly extending intermediateportion 41 of the member 37 provides a retaining-finger-terminalengageable, slightly undercut shoulder surface which t faces radially inwardly and slightly axially inwardly. At

the axially outer end of the portion 41, a lead-in curved surface 42 provides juncture with a generally radially outwardly extending extremity flange 43 that is tilted toward the terminal flange portion and substantially closely approaches the same so as to provide a guard against accidental insertion of the cover retaining finger 2S into the space between the retaining portion 41 and the tenninal flange portion 15.

a somewhat different retaining member 45 is shown which similarly as the retaining member 37 is adapted to be formed from metal strip `or plate stock by suitable die and press means. To this end, the member 45 comprises a base portion 47 which is engageable against the axially outwardly facing surface of the terminal flange portion 14, with a generally axially outwardly extending circumferentially arcuate portion 48 at the radially inner side of the base 47 providing a generally radially and axially inwardly directed cover retaining shoulder face that is slightly undercut or oblique similarly as the face 29 of the retaining member 30 of Figure 2. Extending generally radially outwardly and axially inwardly from the axially outer side of the portion 48 of the retaining member is a guard flange 49 at juncture of which with the portion 48 is a lead-in rounded surface 50. Preferably the flange 49 is intermediately cut out as at 51 so thatL clearance is provided for access with a welding electrode for' spot welding of the base portion 47 at three plates 52 to the terminal flange portion 14.

Application and removal of the cover 10 with respect to the retaining members 45 is the same as described in connection with the cover 10 in Figure 2. That is, the cover is registered relative to a valve stem and the retaining fingers 25 engaged with the retaining shoulder 48 on the member 45, with turn-preventing lug projections 34 of at least one of the retaining fingers straddling the portion 48 and holding the cover against turning.

Pry-on is effected the same as for the cover 10.

In Figure 7 is shown a modification wherein not only the tire rim but also the cover retaining member carried by the tire rim is identical with the tire rim 12 and cover retaining member 30 of Figure 2, and therefore similarly l outer annular arched angular cross-section marginal portion 58 having a terminal turned finishing and reinforcing edge 59 for disposition in adjacent spaced relation to the tip of the terminal flange portion 15. From the edge 59 leads an underturned generally axially outwardly and radially inwardly directed annular flange 60. At its inner margin the flange 60 has angularly turned therefrom an annular continuous axially inwardly extending flange 61 which is slightly larger in diameter than the axially outer portion of the intermediate flange 13 of the tire rim. Thereby retaining finger extensions 62 from the inner edge of the flange 61 can `bear or bottom at junctures 63 with retaining terminals 64 against the radially inner portion of the terminal flange section 14.

It will be observed that the retaining finger terminals 64 extend obliquely radially and axially outwardly and l are short and stiff and are engageable under resilient ten- 55.

. shoulder face 29 of the retaining member 30. At least sion thrust of the retaining finger 62 against the retaining one of the fingers 62 of which there are, of course, a circumferential spaced series, has at its opposite sides turn-preventing lug projections 65 `similar in function to the lug projections 34 of the cover 10. Application and removal of the cover 55 is adapted to be effected just the f same as described in connection with the cover 10.

Application and removal of the cover 10 with respect fore the same reference numerals identify the same, but

In Figure 8, the wheel and the cover retaining means are substantially the same as shown in Figure 4 and therefore identical reference numerals identify the same. However, a cover 67 is provided which has among other things an intermediate dished portion 68 that merges with an angularly cross-sectioned but axially outwardly arched annular marginal portion 69 terminating in a turned reinforced and finished edge 70 from which extends axially outwardly and radially inwardly an underturned flange 71. At its inner side the underturned flange 71 has an axially inwardly extending continuous annular flange extension 72 which is provided at its inner terminus with a generally radially outwardly projecting continuegs bead 713 which is of a diameter normally slightly greater Athanthefdiameter provided by the-inner face` of the retaining member portion 4l so las tobe `'engageable'under resilientV gripping `tension against the retaining vmember portion 41. For straddling in coVer-turn-preventing relation the retainingportion 4l of at least one of the Vwheel is effected substantially as described in connection with'the cover itl. Removal of the cover 67 may be effected byrapplication of a pry-off tool behind the outer edge '70 thereof and then engagement of the pry-oil' tool'behind the bead '73 which it will be noted is accessible after the toolhas been applied behind the edge 7b and `since the bead 73 is supported in spaced relation to the underlying terminal flange portion i4. Alternatively, the pry-off tool may be engaged behind the edge 70 and upon one of the retaining lug members 37.

In Figures 9 and 10 is shown not only a modied cover 77 but also a modified cover retaining lug structure 78, but the wheel may be substantially the same as in Figure 2 and accordingly similar reference numerals are applied to the corresponding parts of the wheel.

The cover'77 includes an intermediate annular dished lportion 79' joining an outer annular arched generally anfour corners of a square blank and provided at their extremities with a generally axially inwardly and radially outwardly obliquely turned retaining terminal 84 provided with a return-bent relatively flattened reinforcing terminal flange 85 backed against the terminal portion-84 and arranged to make tensioned retaining gripping resilient, releasable interlocked engagement with a generally radially and axially inwardly facing generally complementary 4 oblique retaining shoulder 37 provided by the retaining lug '778. As best seen in Figure l0, the retaining linger 83 and the retaining terminal 84, S5 are curved circumferentially so that the substantial arc on the substantial width of the finger at the terminal portion, as Well as the substantial flaring tapered side juncture thereof with the underturned flange 3Q; assures substantial resilient stiffness in the finger. ln addition, the retaining lug member 7% and more particularly in the retaining shoulder portion thereof is correspondingly circumferentially arcuate so as to afford maximum retaining frictional interengagement with the terminal shoulder flange 85 which abuts the retaining member shoulder 87 in substantially face-to-face relation.

At its inner end the undercut retaining shoulder portion 87 of the retaining member joins a generally radially extending flange portion 83 shaped on its axially inner face to lit` in complementary relation against the radially extending terminal flange portion i4 and the fillet-like radius juncture with the lip flange portion of the rim. At each side the base flange portion 88 of the retaining member extends beyond the remainder of the retaining member so as to afford ready access for a spot welding machine for spot welding the'ilange 88 to the tire rim terminal flange 14 as at S9:

At its axially outer side, the shoulder portion 87 of the retaining member 7 8 joins a generally radially and axially outwardly slanted lead-in flange portion 90 providing a lead-in cam surface sloping toward the axially outer side of the shoulder- 87. A generally 'radially extending guard flangeportionjl projects beyond the outer Vsiderfofftlie -leadL-in' flange portion 90 in overlying relation to ythe base llange-y 88 yand extends into sufficiently Vclose proximityto the tip of the terminal llange lip 15 to -avoidmisapplication of the retaining linger S3 between the terminaliilange lip and .the retaining lugfmemtber. Y

To hold the cover against turning on the Awheel `in service, turn-preventing flanges or'lugs 92 are provided on at least one of the fingers 83 in suchspaced relation as'to accommodate therebetween the opposite yends of the body portion of the retaining lug 78,*rpreferably nearest a valve stern aperture in the tire rim. In this instance the-turn-preventing lugs 92 are struck from the'body of the retaining linger 83 between the flange 82 of the cover margin and the retaining te1minal`84. Y

Application and removal of the-cover 77 is effected similarly as application and removal of the other/covers described herein, that is by aligning the cover relative to a'valve stem and then pressing the cover axially home until the retaining finger terminalsi84, 85 have snapped behind and into cover retaining engagement with the shoulders 87 of the respective ones ofthe circumferential series of retaining lugs, and with the terminals- 84 seated against the tire rim terminal llange portion 14 and thus supporting the cover on the wheel in spaced relation to bothfthe tire rim and the wheel body. Removal of the cover is effected by means of a pry-off tool inserted-behind the marginal edge 81 of the cover either against the underturned flange structure of the cover or by engaging` on top of one of the retaining lug flanges 91 and using that Vas a fulcrum levering against thecover edge 81.

All forms of the cover herein afford theft discouraging expedients since theyjprovide `retaining means which are Voff-size with respect to any normal portion ofthe wheel.

provided which makes the covers useless for anyother line or model of automobiles and thus while possibly not theft-proof, at least unattractive to wheel cover thieves. This is especially desirable with relatively expensive wheel covers such as are provided for the more expensive types of automobiles.

lt will be clear, of course, that any preferred retaining finger diameter can be provided for selectivity within a reasonable range by adjustment of the diameter to which the retaining shoulders or faces of the rim-carried-retaining members or lugs are predetermined. That is, for example, even if the same cover retaining expedient were to be adopted for several diiferent lines of automobiles in any given time interval or period or model term, suficien-t dillerences in diameter can be provided for in the disposition of the retaining shoulders or faces so that the covers for the different makes or lines or models of automobiles will not be interchangeable. On the other hand, this would be a very diflicult thing to accomplish in wheels themselves which must conform to certain standards as to dimensions throughout the industry, cspecially in the tire rims thereof, so as to accommodate standard tire dimensions.

The several wheel covers may be used with any of the several retaining members shown herein or suggested, as preferred.

Although the wheel balancing technique has been described in connection with the form of retaining lug structure 30 in Figures ll and l2, it should be understood that the same technique is applicable to each form of the invention disclosed. While some of the retaining lug structuresmay not be as heavy as others, all of themwill have some balancing effect and can therefore be related to the wheel balancing weights for dynamic balancing in substantially the manner ydescribed in connection with Figures 11 and 12.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a wheel structure a multi-flange tire rim adapted to receive a pneumatic tire and having an intermediate generally radially inwardly facing flange merging with a terminal flange including a generally radially outwardly extending portion provided at the radially outer end thereof with a generally axially outwardly extending portion, a rigid metallic cover retaining lug member having a body with la flange extension of limited thickness bearing against and secured to one of said flanges, said body overlying said radially extending terminal flange portion and projecting substantially axially outwardly beyond said flange extension, said body having thereon a generally axially inwardly and radially facing undercutlike shoulder, and a wheel cover member having resiliently flexible cover retaining terminal structure thereon engageable in press-on-off relation with said shoulder and having generally radially projecting portions disposed in the assembly in p-roximate opposing relation to circum- 4ferentially opposite sides of the lug body to hold the cover member against turning on the wheel, said lug flange extension projecting oircumferentially under and in axial clearance relation to said projecting portions.

2. In a wheel structure a multi-flange tire rim adapted to receive a pneumatic tire and having an intermediate generally radially inwardly facing ange merging with a terminal flange including a generally radially outwardly extending portion provided at the radially outer end thereof with a generally :axially outwardly extending portion, a rigid metallic cover retaining lug member having a body with a flange portion of limited thickness bearing against and secured to one of said rim flanges, said body overlying said radially extending terminal rim flange portion and projecting substantially axially outwardly beyond said lug member flange portion, said body having thereon a generally axially inwardly and radially facing undercutlike shoulder, and a cover member for disposition over the outer side of the wheel including a resiliently flexible retaining ange portion retainingly engaging said shoulder in press-on-off relation and bottomed against said lug member ange portion.

3. In a wheel structure a multi-flange tire rim adapted to receive a pneumatic tire and having an intermediate generally radially inwardly facing flange merging with a terminal flange including a generally radially outwardly extending portion provided at the radially outer end thereof with a generally axially outwardly extending portion, a rigid metallic cover retaining lug member having a body of limited width with a flange extension of limited thickness projecting circumferentially beyond at least one side of the body and bearing against and secured to said radially outwardly extending portion of the terminal flange, said body overlying said radially extending terminal flange portion `and projecting substantially axially outwardly beyond said flange extension, said body having thereon a generally Iaxially inwardly and radially facing undercut-like shoulder located axially outwardly beyond said radially extending terminal flange portion and behind which a terminal structure of a cover is engageable in press-on, pry-off relation, the sides of said body affording shoulder-s for `opposing turn-preventing means on a cover.

4. In a wheel structure including a tire rim having a terminal flange structure provided with separately formed and rigidly secured cover retaining members affording generally axially and radially inwardly facing retaining shoulders spaced from a radially extending and axially outwardly facing portion of the terminal flange structure, a cover for disposition at the outer side of the wheel including a circular marginal portion Ifor overlying the terminal flange `and having an underturned generally radially inwardly extending flan-ge and provided with a plurality of generally axially inwardly extending cover retaining flange resilient finger extensions each of which is provided with a cover retaining shoulder for retaining interengagement with said retaining member shoulders and a stop shoulder portion for retaining interengagement with said axially outwardly facing terminal flange portion to limit axially inward disposition of the cover and to assure resilient retaining tensioned interengagement of the shoulders of the iingers and the retaining members.

5. In a wheel structure including a terminal flange having 4generally radially extending and axially extending portions with an intermediate flange joining the radially inner side of the radially extending portion of the terminal lian-ge, a plurality of rigidly secured rigid retaining members on said radially extending terminal flange portion and each provided with a generally radially and axially inwardly facing retaining shoulder spaced substantially radially inwardly from the axially extending terminal flange portion but also spaced radially outwardly relative to the intermediate flange, a cover for disposition at the outer side of the wheel including a circular marginal portion yfor `overlying the terminal flange and hav- 4ing therebehind a plurality of resilient retaining linger members of substantial width and resilient stiffness and each provided with a retaining shoulder interengageable with the retaining shoulder of a respective one of the retaining members, each of said fingers having intermediately thereof and spaced axially inwardly from the retaining shoulder thereof a generally axially inwardly facing shoulder for bottoming engagement with the radially facing terminal flange portion radially inwardly from the retaining member engaged by the linger for determining the axially inward disposition of the cover and maintaining the same in spaced relation to the wheel and also assuring tensioned interengagement of the finger and retaining member shoulder.

References Cited in the le of this` patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,954,757 Maranville Apr. 10, 1934 2,143,541; Blank Apr. 5, 193-8 2,368,254 Lyon June 30, 1945 2,621,978 Lyon Dec. 16, 1952 2,624,633 Lyon Jan. 3, 1953 2,733,104 Lyon Jan. 31, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 495,638 Canada Sept. 1, 1953 

